| Administrative History | The idea of establishing an alternative newspaper publishing and printing venture started when some 7 members of a local arts and community workshop (who shared an anarchistic libertarian socialist outlook) became disillusioned with their particular form of radical action. What was wanted was a medium for the communication of ideas, information and example between individuals and the community, and between communities. 'Aberdeen People's Press' was established as a non-profit making company in May 1973. Its primary function was the production of the fortnightly (later monthly) community newspaper, 'Aberdeen People's Press', but it also ran a commercial printing service, providing cheap printing for socialist and community groups, and maintained a small library of radical and community group literature, which it made available for public consultation.
'Aberdeen People's Press' printed news about local government, business, land, housing and community issues, concentrating specifically on controversial and local interest stories which tended not to be covered by established local papers. Production of the paper and running of the press relied strongly on volunteer support, and contributions from their readership were strongly encouraged. Circulation varied at between 800 and 1700 per issue.
During 1976 the company made a number of organisational changes, becoming formally worker-controlled at this time, with clearer demarcation than hitherto between its newspaper and printing functions. In the summer of 1976, production was halted on the newspaper and attention turned to the production of pamphlets.
During the latter part of 1976 and early 1977 the company published 'Aberdeen in the General Strike'; 'The Equal Pay and Sex Discrimination Acts'; and 'Low Priority - pre-school childcare in the north east'. In July 1977, proposals were drafted for a new local paper, "a more clearly political paper to meet the demands of the current situation and organisation, with a clearer division of responsibilities for day to day running and editorial policy-making", but this never materialised.
More information about the work and organisation of the People's Press will be found in Alan Marshall 'Aberdeen People's Press', in 'Scottish Community Newspapers', ed. Brian Murphy (n.p.:Scottish International Institute, 1978) and Andrew Rigby "Aberdeen People's Press," in 'Here is the other news: challenges to the local commercial press' (edited by Crispin Aubrey, Charles Landry, Dave Morley, Minority Group Press, London, 1980). |